“I was happy that I met him, because he was a very caring husband and caring father, unfortunately, it was short-lived. He loved his family very much, he did everything to make things good, so the children wouldn’t be troubled. He would do any job so that the children wouldn’t lack anything,” Sona tells within the framework of Iravaban.net‘s “Immortal victims of the Artsakh war” series.
After doing various jobs, Hovhannes expressed a desire to join the ranks of the Armed Forces. The father of three sons had said that it was very good work, but Sona was so opposed to it that she was even upset with her husband for a long time, but eventually came to terms with Hovhannes’ choice.
“He had been accepted for 5 months, was working, was at the Yeraskh positions, he said it was very good, everything was normal, don’t worry. On the evening of October 9, he called and said they were being transferred to Artsakh. It was unexpected. On October 13, my mother-in-law dies and we learn that Hovhannes has also fallen in battle. Neither knew about the other’s death. He had said ‘I’m going, I’ll come back,’ but he didn’t come back,” she recounts.
He had given hope that he would definitely return, and Sona had waited hopefully. Now she is fulfilling her husband’s last request, living and doing everything for their three sons. She says it’s very difficult, but she continues to struggle, fighting against injustice.
“I forget my pain and sorrow by suppressing myself, so that my children feel good and don’t feel broken. My son says ‘Mom, how strong you are that you endure.’ I say ‘God is with me, I endure, what else can I do?'” tells Sona.
Details in the video.
]]>“If he is a serious painter, he must paint everything, do everything, delve into it, see the world well, and only then will he feel that he is a painter. There are many painters, they all see differently, I think they cannot see the same thing. If it were so, all paintings would be the same,” notes our artist.
At the foundation of Artin’s words lies an important truth – art demands complete dedication, deep perception, and one’s own vision. He speaks not only about technical skill, but also about the importance of seeing the world in one’s own way and expressing that vision through art.
He recounts that initially he was involved in music, but during that time he was also painting, inspired by music after several episodes that happened in his life, but nevertheless, painting prevailed: “I say, why did the days pass so quickly, if only we could remain young a little longer, paint a little more… Well, since we’ve grown up, naturally, we paint less, we go to good places less, and probably we talk too much.”
The eighteenth part of the “Mystery of Creation” film series, implemented within the framework of the “ZArt” cultural project by Iravaban.net, reveals a unique world of thought, emotion, and struggle hidden within art.
“ZArt” has a special mission – to build a bridge between art and society. The project aims to present Armenian artists and their exceptional works not only to Armenian society, but also to the diaspora and abroad, contributing to the popularization of art and recognition of artists. Through this film series, society comes closer to art, while artists come closer to society, creating a beautiful space of cultural understanding.
The painter also considers creating on canvas as self-expression, but there is nothing surprising about it – he does everything for himself, he is happy that he has a good family, and they also inspire him: “Me, my studio, my garden – it’s good…”
“This world is constantly trying to stop you, saying it’s enough, there might be fights, bad things might happen,” reflects our hero, speaking about struggle, then briefly summarizes: “We live on.”
In this expression is hidden the experience, patience, and philosophy of an entire life. The painter lives not only through art, but like art itself – calmly, deeply, and meaningfully.
Details in the video.
These include:
- Divorce
- Determining the child’s place of residence
- Enforcement of alimony
- Division of joint property
- Issues of communication, upbringing and education with the child
- Establishing the order of child visitation
- Amendment or termination of marriage contracts
What is torture?
Torture is a deliberate action aimed at causing severe physical or psychological pain or suffering to a person:
- to obtain information or confession,
- to punish that person or a third party,
- to intimidate the person or break their will,
- or for any other reason, when such action is carried out by a state official or on their instruction or with their tacit consent.
Torture is considered a gross violation of human rights and is prohibited by international and national legislation. It is used as a tool of pressure and humiliation, but from a legal standpoint, the application of such methods is unacceptable regardless of circumstances.
The most important international document on this topic is the UN Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
Strategy objectives
In an interview with Iravaban.net, Marat Atovmyan, Vice President of the Armenian Bar Association and lawyer, notes that the police has a serious role in eliminating torture.
“It is very important that police officers have the necessary skills, knowledge and abilities to properly relate to persons who have become victims of torture, to be able to properly take reports about interrogations, as well as to take correct legal measures to protect their rights,” notes Atovmyan.
The police reform implementation strategy and the 2024-2026 action program aim to form a law-respecting, fair and professional police system. Special attention has been paid to preventing torture, recording cases of violence, protecting personal data, and retraining in accordance with international standards.
International criteria have been established for the protection of persons deprived of liberty. The most important of these is the Istanbul Protocol, adopted by the UN in 1999. It provides clear guidelines on how to investigate complaints about torture and how to document medical traces and transmit information to competent authorities.
In this process, it is very important that police officers and doctors are well prepared. If the rules are not clear or there are no necessary specialists, there may be violations of rights – intentionally or carelessly. In addition, different forms of registering such cases in different institutions (for example, in the police and emergency services) can create gaps. Such problems can affect both citizens’ rights and the motivation of dedicated police officers.
Another problem is that people sometimes do not report cases of violence due to fear or lack of trust. But there are also cases when reports are too superficial or even false.
Proper training of doctors and police officers, as well as the availability of sufficient human and technical resources, are important for the system to avoid delays and errors.
Action plan of the strategy
The action program envisages developing and implementing a special methodology for evaluating the quality of retraining and courses on the UN Convention Against Torture and the Istanbul Protocol, as well as retraining materials on torture and other forms of ill-treatment.
In addition, the complete application of the renewed procedure for the activity of public observer groups exercising public supervision in places of detention of arrestees must be ensured.
Successful international experience
The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) visited Armenia in 2023. They noted that the situation in the police has generally improved.
Many citizens have reported that they have been treated properly. It was also noted that interrogations are video-recorded and police officers wear video-recording devices. However, there have also been some cases where police have used disproportionate force.
Iravaban.net also presents several examples from international experience. These countries manage to effectively fight against these problems.
In Germany, police officers are required to undergo retraining on torture and human rights protection related to international conventions, particularly EU standards.
Independent bodies have been established to monitor police activities (for example, an independent supervisory council), which citizens can turn to if they want to report a case of torture.
Police activities are often audio and video recorded to avoid abuse.
In Finland, there is equivalent application of Istanbul Protocol regulations, including medical examinations and proper documentation of torture alerts.
A digitized system has been built that allows rapid response to torture alerts and provides professional assistance.
Police officers are retrained not only in legal but also psychological and ethical aspects.
In Great Britain, there is an independent investigative body – the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which investigates police violations including cases of torture.
Police officers undergo immediate retraining on the rights and dignity of detainees.
Standardized interrogation procedures are applied, which are video-recorded.
These successful experiences show that in preventing torture, the following are important:
- the presence of independent oversight bodies,
- continuous retraining of law enforcement officers,
- the use of technical means (video recording),
- and active involvement of society.
The “Public Oversight and Awareness of Effective and Inclusive Police Reforms” sub-grant is implemented by the “Armenian Bar Association” with funding from the European Union under the “Monitoring Justice Sector Reforms in Armenia” program (www.juremonia.am) within the framework of a grant announced by the “Social Justice” public organization.
The overall goal of the program is to increase civil society participation in monitoring and impact assessment of police reforms by ensuring structural involvement mechanisms, independent assessment and raising public awareness. Close cooperation and involvement with public organizations as well as relevant subdivisions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs is envisaged during program implementation.
This article was prepared with financial support from the European Union. The “Armenian Bar Association” public organization is responsible for the content and it does not necessarily express the views of the European Union.
]]>Through this new integration, MyInvest users can submit buy and sell orders directly from Ameriabank’s mobile app, which are instantly reflected in the AMXTrader system. MyInvest is an investment platform, integrated into Ameriabank’s bank’s mobile app, offering access to over 30 international financial markets and more than 20,000 stocks and bonds. The platform allows clients to execute a variety of transactions, including trading in the bond market, actively participate in capital market operations, and thereby contribute to increased exchange activity.
The integration significantly enhances transaction speed, removes the need for paper-based instructions, and reduces the risk of human error. Beyond technical upgrades, this partnership enhances the quality of investment services by offering a more convenient, faster, and secure tool for executing investment transactions. It is a major step toward a fully digitized investment ecosystem in Armenia where investors can monitor their portfolios and execute trades in real time. Integrations like this play a crucial role in developing the capital market, making it more accessible, transparent, and efficient for all participants.
Hayk Yeganyan, CEO of AMX, stated: “Direct access to the AMXTrader trading platform creates a next level of experience for both investors and financial institutions. We welcome Ameriabank’s progressive move, which can serve as an example for other companies. Collaborations like this are vital in accelerating the development of a more dynamic, transparent, and inclusive capital market.”
Diana Hakobyan, Co-Director of Ameriabank’s FX and Brokerage Operations, added:
“This new collaboration between the Armenia Stock Exchange and Ameriabank is a turning point not only for the development of Ameria’s digital investment services but also for advancing Armenia’s capital market as a whole. As a result, investors gain entirely new opportunities with faster and more accessible transactions. We believe that such digital solutions not only elevate the culture of investing but also serve as a powerful driver in unlocking the full potential of the capital market.”
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About AMX | Armenia Stock Exchange
Armenia Stock Exchange (AMX) is the only securities regulated market operator in Armenia. As an integrated exchange offering, AMX provides a full suite of services including listing, trading, clearing, information services, and alternative market solutions. Investors receive a wide range of investment products and maximum transparency, together with the smooth and efficient execution and clearing of trade transactions. Being a 100% shareholder of the Central Depository of Armenia, AMX also provides integrated settlement solutions for both resident and non-resident clients by utilizing the central depository’s international settlement network and relationships with global depositories.
The mission of AMX is to enhance and develop the infrastructure of the Armenian capital market and create an attractive business environment.
For additional information please contact AMX Marketing and Communication Department at +374 60 69 55 55 ext. 142, [email protected].
About Ameriabank
Ameriabank is a leading financial and technology company in Armenia, a major contributor to the Armenian economy. In pursuit of digital transformation, the Bank has implemented unique products, services and innovative platforms designed to meet the diverse financial and non-financial needs people have today and keeps on improving them.
Being a dynamically developing fintech environment, Ameriabank offers comprehensive solutions to improve the quality of life.
The Bank is supervised by the Central Bank of Armenia.
]]>Mayis studied at the State College of Dance Arts and was a folk dancer. He was drafted into the army on July 16, 2019. He served in “Martuni 3.”
“He was satisfied, he took sergeant courses in Askeran. He was a squad commander. He never complained about anything. He always said – I’m going to serve in Karabagh and in Aghdam (Akna). During the war days he would call and say, don’t believe the news, everything is fine, in the end we’ll dance kochari in Baku. The last call was on October 11, he told my husband – I called to hear your voice and that’s it. He didn’t say they were taking them to Hadrut,” the mother, Kristine Goreyan, told Iravaban.net within the framework of the “Immortal victims of the Artsakh war” series.
An entire unit was killed on October 11, and the parents are certain that the boys were deceived and taken to occupied Hadrut. I blame Jalal Harutyunyan.
“On December 5, when they brought out the children’s bodies, our boys had fought with the ‘Yashma’ unit, they had even called for help, but no one came to their aid. They helped each other, bandaged wounds. That’s how, on that day, they found all 76 boys with their 3 commanders. And our hellish days began – for us parents. Volunteers told the fathers about the boys’ acts of bravery,” notes Mayis’s mother.
Mayis Shahen Avetumyan was born on March 13, 2001, and was killed on October 11, 2020.
Details in the video.
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The artist calls for being grateful for God’s gifts and creating and being devoted to one’s own creations: “A canvas can be born from a simple word and another canvas from a great war.”
Our hero’s words are simultaneously inclusive, accepting that all people have ability and opportunity and demanding emphasizing that each person is responsible for properly using their received gifts.
He emphasizes that art can respond to both daily life and global tragedies.
The seventeenth episode of the “Mystery of Creation” film series, implemented within the framework of the “Z’Art” cultural project by Iravaban.net, presents the creative and spiritual world of painter Vardan Gabrielyan. The artist speaks about the confidence that creating is not merely a technical skill, but inspiration, responsibility, and readiness to listen to God’s will. How does a simple word become the seed of a canvas, or how does a person become an instrument at the precise moment of creation?
“Z’Art” has a special mission: to build a bridge between art and society. The project aims to present Armenian artists and their exceptional works not only to Armenian society but also to the diaspora and abroad, contributing to the popularization of art and recognition of artists. Through this series of documentaries, society comes closer to art, and artists come closer to society, creating a beautiful space of cultural understanding.
“You don’t enter the studio with the same feelings all the time, that cycle is for a lifetime: you are devoted to your work, this is your work, this is your duty and what you must do. I owe nothing to anyone, but when I paint, it’s as if I’m paying off some debt somewhere,” reflects Vardan Gabrielyan and notes that when the ordinary world becomes like art, it won’t be good then, and it’s not good when the art created is like the world.
Details in the video.
The author and director of the “ZArt” cultural project is Karen Zadoyan, and the author and director of the “Mystery of Creation” video series is Vazgen Ghukasyan.
]]>What problems is the ministry trying to solve with this change, and does the professional community support reviewing cases in this format?
Details in the video.
]]>Within the framework of the “The Church and the Law” interview series, Iravaban.net discussed the topic “Miracles in Our Times” with Father Sargis Sargsyan, the spiritual shepherd of Hovhannavank.
The clergyman says that it is not the water that heals people, but rather angels, through God, impart holiness to that water, which then heals.
“There was a time when miracles gave birth to faith, but there is also a time when faith gives birth to miracles. Let me tell you about one incident: we were conducting the liturgy and I felt noise behind me. That noise became so intense that I was forced to intervene to make them quiet. A woman told me, ‘Father, if you knew what happened, you would also start making noise.’ Then they quieted down. When I finished the liturgy and came down from the altar, I couldn’t find that woman, but I learned the following from the believers: the one who had spoken was the mother of a healed girl, and the girl had been unable to speak for many years. They had come with faith, the girl had come on her knees and kissed the place where they say there are saint’s relics, and she turned and called out to her mother, and that’s when the noise started. It is that faith that heals a person. There is no God in a hardened heart,” says Father Sargis.
Details in the video.
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-Are there any specific difficulties that female investigators face compared to their male colleagues?
-I cannot identify any specific difficulties. This profession and work are inherently difficult, regardless of whether you are a woman or a man. Of course, from a woman’s perspective, there are certain difficulties – you need to be able to combine family and women’s affairs, and in some ways it is difficult to be a strong investigator in this complex profession without losing your femininity.
-In our society, there is a stereotype that this work is not for women. Have you heard such conversations, and how have you responded?
-Naturally, there are such conversations. I believe that conditioning any profession, including law, by gender is not correct. Those conversations have never constrained me. If you are a young woman starting work in this system, there is always a misconception that you are weak, that men can show you the right direction. Those opinions have not been constraining at all. On the contrary, they have strengthened my goal – to show through work that in choosing a profession, it is not gender but knowledge and diligence that matter.
-Based on your practice and perceptions, who lies more often – women or men?
-This depends on the type of person, and I have noticed that people lie based on feelings of fear. They lie when they are afraid that reality will be revealed, when they are afraid that the reality they tell will harm someone. I don’t think it is gender-dependent, and I cannot distinguish whether women or men lie more often.
Details in the video.
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